IOSH Understanding Hazards 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What are the main routes of entry for chemical hazards into the body?
- Only through the mouth
- Inhalation, ingestion, skin absorption/contact, and injection (through broken skin) (Correct answer)
- Only through the nose
- Only through cuts and wounds
Correct answer: Inhalation, ingestion, skin absorption/contact, and injection (through broken skin)
Chemical hazards can enter the body through four main routes: inhalation (breathing in dusts, fumes, vapours, gases), ingestion (swallowing via contaminated hands or food), skin absorption or contact (chemicals passing through the skin), and injection (through cuts, abrasions or puncture wounds).
Question 2: What is 'occupational dermatitis'?
- A skin condition caused by excessive sun exposure only
- Inflammation of the skin caused by contact with substances at work, such as solvents, oils, cleaning agents or cement (Correct answer)
- A contagious skin disease spread between workers
- A cosmetic skin condition with no workplace link
Correct answer: Inflammation of the skin caused by contact with substances at work, such as solvents, oils, cleaning agents or cement
Occupational dermatitis (contact dermatitis) is inflammation of the skin caused by contact with workplace substances. It can be irritant (direct damage from substances like detergents, oils, cement) or allergic (immune reaction to sensitisers like epoxy resins, latex, or chromium compounds).
Question 3: What is 'occupational asthma'?
- Asthma that is worse on weekends
- Asthma caused or made worse by breathing in substances at work such as isocyanates, flour dust, or wood dust (Correct answer)
- A pre-existing asthma condition
- Asthma caused by poor ventilation in meeting rooms
Correct answer: Asthma caused or made worse by breathing in substances at work such as isocyanates, flour dust, or wood dust
Occupational asthma is asthma caused by or made worse by workplace exposures to certain substances called 'asthmagens' or respiratory sensitisers. Common causes include isocyanates (spray paints), flour dust (bakeries), wood dust, laboratory animals, and latex.
Question 4: What is 'Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome' (HAVS)?
- A condition caused by lifting heavy objects
- A condition caused by regular use of vibrating hand-held tools, affecting nerves, blood vessels and joints in the hands and arms (Correct answer)
- A repetitive strain injury from keyboard use
- A condition that only affects professional musicians
Correct answer: A condition caused by regular use of vibrating hand-held tools, affecting nerves, blood vessels and joints in the hands and arms
HAVS is caused by regular and prolonged use of vibrating hand-held tools or equipment. It affects the nerves, blood vessels and joints of the hand, wrist and arm. Symptoms include tingling, numbness, pain, loss of grip strength, and the characteristic white finger (Raynaud's phenomenon).
Question 5: What are the GHS hazard pictograms used for?
- Decorating chemical storage areas
- Providing standardised visual warnings about the type of hazard a chemical substance presents (Correct answer)
- Identifying the manufacturer of a product
- Indicating the price category of chemicals
Correct answer: Providing standardised visual warnings about the type of hazard a chemical substance presents
GHS (Globally Harmonised System) hazard pictograms are standardised symbols used on labels and safety data sheets to warn about the specific types of hazard a chemical presents — such as flammable, toxic, corrosive, oxidising, harmful/irritant, environmental hazard, gas under pressure, or carcinogenic/mutagenic.
Question 6: What is 'noise-induced hearing loss' (NIHL)?
- Temporary hearing loss from a single loud noise
- Permanent, irreversible damage to hearing caused by prolonged exposure to excessive noise levels at work (Correct answer)
- Hearing loss that naturally occurs with age
- A condition that can be cured with medication
Correct answer: Permanent, irreversible damage to hearing caused by prolonged exposure to excessive noise levels at work
NIHL is permanent, irreversible damage to the delicate structures of the inner ear caused by prolonged exposure to excessive noise. The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 set exposure action values at 80 dB(A) (lower) and 85 dB(A) (upper), with an exposure limit of 87 dB(A).
IOSH Understanding Hazards 2
What are the main routes of entry for chemical hazards into the body?